Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Energy: Meters

lord teverson: To ask Her Majesty's Government how they will ensure that all newly built houses are fitted with smart energy meters during their construction.

lord henley: A number of energy suppliers are already installing smart energy meters in new build properties, and more than a million smart meters were installed overall in every quarter in 2018. Energy supply licence conditions enable the Government to set a date from which suppliers must take all reasonable steps to install a compliant smart meter, where a meter is installed for the first time (for example in new build properties) or where a meter is replaced – this is referred to as the New and Replacement Obligation (NRO). We expect to make a decision to activate the NRO in due course.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Ryan Cornelius

lord clement-jones: To ask Her Majesty's Government, further to the Written Answer by Lord Ahmad of Wimbledon on 12 December (HL11891), whether the case of Ryan Cornelius requires official action; if so, whether it has been raised by theForeign and Commonwealth Office; and if not, why not.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​The Foreign and Commonwealth Office has sought clarity from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) regarding the terms of Mr Ryan Cornelius' continued detention on a number of occasions. Most recently (10 December), we asked the UAE to respond to concerns raised that Mr Cornelius was being denied certain privileges.

Libya: Freezing of Assets

lord empey: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have had discussions with any other government about using the interest accrued on frozen Libyan assets for humanitarian or other purposes.

lord ahmad of wimbledon: ​No discussions have taken place with any other government about using the interest accrued on frozen Libyan assets for humanitarian or other purposes.

Department for International Development

India: Sanitation

the earl of sandwich: To ask Her Majesty's Government what support they have given to the government of India, and to the administrations of individual states, in the last three years to improve the quality of water and sanitation, and to end the practice of manual scavenging.

lord bates: DFID’s portfolio of urban programmes work to strengthen India’s capacity to make cities cleaner and more sustainable for all – including provision for water and sanitation. We have partnered with the Government of Odisha to improve the state’s water supply. We have also partnered with the Government of India on its SMART cities initiative. DFID has not had any specific programming on manual scavenging in the last three years; however, the Manual Scavenging Act provides for the rehabilitation of manual scavengers through training in alternative employment. This is the right way forward and should be upheld. DFID is committed to work with India on urban and skills development.

Department for Education

Music: Secondary Education

lord german: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many secondary school academies teach music at Key Stage 3 at least once a week.

lord german: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many pupils in state-funded schools in England learning to play instruments in lessons for whole classes provided, or supported, by Music Education Hubs progressed to learn a musical instrument once the whole class tuition ended since 2012.

lord agnew of oulton: Music is a compulsory part of the national curriculum for 5 to 14 year olds. The department does not collect information on the number of secondary school academies that teach Key Stage 3 music at least once a week. The table below is school workforce census data. It shows that the proportion of time spent teaching music at state funded secondary schools overall has remained broadly stable since 2010. Percentage of total teaching hours spent on music in years 7-13 in state-funded secondary schools per year201020112012201320142015201620172.4%2.4%2.4%2.4%2.4%2.4%2.3%2.3% Information on the number of pupils who continued to learn an instrument after receiving whole class ensemble teaching since 2012 is contained in a survey published by Arts Council England, and can be found on pages 43 and 44 of the attached document.  



Music_Education_Hubs data_2017_HL12448_HL12449_att
(PDF Document, 4.48 MB)

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Building Regulations and Fire Safety Independent Review

lord stunell: To ask Her Majesty's Government when they plan to bring forward proposals to implement the recommendations in the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety: interim report, published on 18 December 2017.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: The Government has set out how it will take forward the recommendations of the Independent Review of Building Regulations and Fire Safety in the implementation plan published on 18 December (CM 9739), see below the link (attached).https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/766002/BSP_-_implementation_programme.pdf 



Building Regulations and Fire Safety
(PDF Document, 871.75 KB)

Public Buildings

lord stunell: To ask Her Majesty's Government what estimate they have made of the proportion of publicly-owned buildings to which the public have access which have on display (1) an in-date Fire Certificate, and (2) an Energy Performance Certificate; and what steps they plan to take to improve compliance with the requirement to display such certificates.

lord bourne of aberystwyth: We have no estimate of the proportion of publicly-owned buildings to which the public has access which display an Energy Performance Certificate.Upper Tier Authorities (Local Weights and Measures Authorities (LWMAs)), through Trading Standards Offices, are responsible for enforcing the regulatory requirements. With this in mind, the updated guidance for LWMAs has been published (attached) here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/local-weights-and-measures-guidance-for-energy-certificates-and-air-conditioning-inspections-for-buildings.This guidance has been updated periodically since 2008, most recently in March 2016. It is for enforcement authorities to plan and undertake their work to ensure compliance with the regulations.



Local Weights and Measures Authorities
(PDF Document, 372.84 KB)

Department for Work and Pensions

Industrial Diseases: Compensation

lord alton of liverpool: To ask Her Majesty's Government how many posthumous claims were made in 2017 under (1) the Coal Industry Pneumoconiosis Compensation Scheme, (2) the 2008 diffuse mesothelioma payments scheme, and (3) the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme; how much was awarded in total; and of those claims, how many were made on behalf of deceased (a) men, and (b) women.

baroness buscombe: Posthumous claims can be made by widows/dependants under the Coal Industry Pneumoconiosis Compensation Scheme. In 2017 there were 95 claims and payments totalled £211,175. Under the 2008 Diffuse Mesothelioma Scheme (2008 Scheme) and the Diffuse Mesothelioma Payment Scheme (DMPS) payments can be made to certain eligible dependants of those individuals who died with Diffuse Mesothelioma before they could make an application to the Scheme, assuming the individual with the disease was eligible for a payment. The most recent quarterly statistics relating to the 2008 Scheme can be found on sheet “IIDB3_2” via gov.ukThe information requested about DMPS payments made posthumously is not available. For all the schemes there is no available data on the numbers of claims in respect of men and women.

Universal Credit

baroness lister of burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment has been made of the accessibility of the Universal Credit processes for applicants whose first language is not English or Welsh.

baroness buscombe: We have made no direct assessment of accessibility for applicants who do not have English or Welsh as their first language. However, when we need to communicate with a claimant whose first language is not English or Welsh English we use interpreters This can be a customer’s own interpreter, a local community based interpreting service, a telephone interpretation service or a contracted face to face interpretation service. In addition, where there is a need we are also able to translate correspondence into languages other than English or Welsh. Our work coaches may also look at ways to support claimants through a range of local and national provision if a lack of language skills is likely to represent a barrier to work.

Universal Credit: Refugees

baroness lister of burtersett: To ask Her Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the finding in the British Red Cross report Still an ordeal: The move-on period for new refugees, published on 6 December,that Universal Credit payments to newly recognised refugees are being delayed due to Habitual Residency Tests being inconsistently applied by job centres.

baroness buscombe: Habitual residence tests are being consistently applied to refugees when applying for Universal Credit. We provide comprehensive training and guidance for all of our work coaches to ensure that they can effectively apply the habitual residency test process. Refugees who are able to provide their biometric residence permit or evidence of their refugee status can be fast tracked through the habitual residency test process. We are continuously reviewing and improving the service for vulnerable people who claim Universal Credit to ensure that it is accessible and responsive to their needs. Staff also have access to information on services and support available in their local area for vulnerable claimants, including refugees.

Universal Credit

baroness thomas of winchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they have identified the locations for the managed migration "test and learn" process for Universal Credit, beginning in July 2019.

baroness buscombe: As part of our design process for managed migration we are considering different approaches for how to best migrate claimants onto Universal Credit. We are currently working closely with a large and diverse range of stakeholders to co-design migration processes that work for everyone and most effectively support those who will need more help. We will begin managed migration on a small scale in 2019 to pilot our processes and ensure that they are working by adapting them and building on feedback before we begin to take on larger volumes of claimants.

Universal Credit

baroness thomas of winchester: To ask Her Majesty's Government what steps they are taking to ensure that consent procedures enable charities and support organisations to give practical support to Universal Credit claimants.

baroness buscombe: Given Universal Credit is delivered on a different platform to legacy benefits, and it replaces six major benefits, the approach taken to consent needs to be different. The amount of personal data available on Universal Credit is far greater than the individual legacy systems, meaning that any data breach has far reaching consequences for claimants. We therefore need to balance consent against this risk. We have agreed to explore options for improving the process of consent in collaboration with the Committee in order to consider how current practices could be enhanced, and we will publish a report on our joint conclusions.

Home Office

Informers: Children

baroness doocey: To ask Her Majesty's Government what information they hold on the number of children recruited as covert human intelligence sources in county line crimes since the passing of the Modern Slavery Act 2015.

baroness williams of trafford: The Home Office does not collect these statistics.Covert human intelligence sources in county line crimes is an operational matter and it would not be appropriate for law enforcement to disclose information around the numbers and or age demographics of covert human intelligence sources

Migrant Workers: Visas

lord newby: To ask Her Majesty's Government what plans they have to increase the period of time covered by Permitted Paid Engagement visas from one month tothreemonths.

baroness williams of trafford: The Government has published its immigration White Paper setting out the vision of the Future Border and Immigration System. To support publication of the Government’s proposals, an extensive engagement programme will be launched, which will contribute to the development of the new system.Short-term business activity is crucial for the UK economy and we welcome a dialogue with private, public and voluntary sectors as well as industry representatives and international partners about the scope of permitted visitor activities and to better understand the needs of various sectors.

Prevent Oversight Board

lord stunell: To ask Her Majesty's Government what were the dates of each meeting of the Prevent Oversight Board since its inception; and at each meeting, how many of those in attendance were(1) of black, Asian, and minority ethnic ethnicity, (2) of the Muslim faith, and (3) government ministers.

baroness williams of trafford: The Prevent Oversight Board was established, following the 2011 review of Prevent, as a non-executive board. The board is currently chaired by the Home Secretary. Since 2012 the board has met 7 times, most recently in November 2018.The current membership of the Board includes the Home Office, Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government, Department for Education, Department of Health and Social Care, Ministry of Justice, Cabinet Office, Foreign and Commonwealth Office, Department of Culture Media and Sport, Ministry of Defence Welsh Assembly, Scottish Government and the Police. The Prevent Oversight Board also includes a number of independent members.The Home Office does not capture the faith or ethnicity of Prevent Oversight Board attendees.

Immigration: EU Nationals

lord willoughby de broke: To ask Her Majesty's Government whether they plan to chargecitizens of EU member states for entry into the UKafter the UK's departure from the EU.

baroness williams of trafford: In the White Paper ‘The UK’s future skills-based immigration system’ (Cm9722) the Government has set out its plans for a secure and smooth UK border control.This includes proposals for an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA) scheme. It is our intention to require EU Citizens to obtain an ETA, but we intend to discuss this further in negotiations with the EU.